Thoracic Duct
| Milky | Chylothorax — thoracic duct disruption (lymphoma, trauma) | Triglycerides > 110 mg/dL |
What our notes say
- | Milky | Chylothorax — thoracic duct disruption (lymphoma, trauma) | Triglycerides > 110 mg/dL | (Pleural Effusion: Light's Criteria, Fluid Analysis and Management)
- Hemiazygos vein: left ascending lumbar + left subcostal vein; ascends left side to T8–T9; crosses right behind aorta, oesophagus, and thoracic duct → azygos. (Master First-Year Anatomy: Must-Know Essays & Key Concepts)
- Superior mediastinum contents: aortic arch and branches, brachiocephalic veins, SVC, trachea, oesophagus, thoracic duct, vagus/phrenic/left recurrent laryngeal nerves, thymus. (Master First-Year Anatomy: Must-Know Essays & Key Concepts)
- Intestinal cell → Chylomicrons → Lymphatic system → Thoracic duct → Systemic circulation (Comprehensive Guide to Nutrient Digestion and Absorption)
- Secreted into lymphatics (thoracic duct → systemic circulation). (MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY II ESsays)
- Reaches mesenteric lymph nodes → thoracic duct → bloodstream (primary bacteraemia) (GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY (Part 2))
Study material on Thoracic Duct
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Practice questions on Thoracic Duct
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Hemothorax
- Chylothorax
- Hemopneumothorax
- Pleural effusion secondary to heart failure
Answer: B. A milky white pleural effusion with high triglyceride content is characteristic of chylothorax, resulting from leakage of lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct.
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. Most likely diagnosis?
- Chylothorax
- Parapneumonic effusion
- Hemothorax
- Pseudochylothorax
Answer: A. A milky white pleural effusion with elevated triglyceride levels (typically >110 mg/dL) is diagnostic of chylothorax, which results from leakage of lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct. Thoracic duct injury is a common cause.
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. Most likely diagnosis?
- Chylothorax
- Pseudochylothorax
- Empyema
- Hemothorax
Answer: A. Milky white pleural fluid with elevated triglycerides (typically > 110 mg/dL) following thoracic duct injury is diagnostic of chylothorax, caused by leakage of lymphatic fluid.
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Parapneumonic effusion
- Chylothorax
- Hemothorax
- Malignant pleural effusion
Answer: B. A milky white pleural effusion with elevated triglyceride levels is characteristic of chylothorax, which occurs due to leakage of lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct. Thoracic duct injury is a known cause.
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. Most likely diagnosis?
- Chylothorax
- Pseudochylothorax
- Hemothorax
- Exudative effusion
Answer: A. Milky white pleural fluid with elevated triglycerides (typically > 110 mg/dL) is diagnostic of a chylothorax, which results from leakage of chyle into the pleural space, often due to thoracic duct injury.
A 35-year-old man undergoes thoracic duct injury during left-sided neck dissection surgery. Two days later he develops a left pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields milky white fluid with triglycerides of 210 mg/dL. Most likely diagnosis?
- Pleural effusion due to heart failure
- Chylothorax
- Malignant pleural effusion
- Parapneumonic effusion
Answer: B. A milky white pleural effusion with elevated triglyceride levels (typically >110 mg/dL) is characteristic of chylothorax, which occurs due to leakage of lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct.